Painkiller Gets Shout-outs, But Has to Change Its Name

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The good news for Painkiller is this: After being named one of Esquire’s “Best Bars in America,” it now gets some love in Time Out’s epic “State of the Cocktail” package (the bar’s Jet Pilot cocktail is one of the 41 best drinks). Plus, Tales of the Cocktail just nominated the tiki bar for World’s Best New Cocktail Bar (you can see the rest of the 5th Annual Spirited Awards nominees below; winners will be announced July 23 in New Orleans). The bad news is this: As the result of a lawsuit settlement with Pusser’s Rum Ltd., Painkiller has had to change its name to PKNY.

The Lo-Down reports that the 31-year-old rum company holds the copyright for the brand name “Painkiller” — not only does the bar have to change its name, but it can’t put a Painkiller cocktail on the menu unless it’s made with Pusser’s Rum. And this isn’t the only pain PKNY is feeling: The Lo-Down also reports that the bar tallied up 101 violation points during a health inspection last week. Someone pour these guys a Penicillin — oh, wait a minute, that name isn’t exactly legal either.

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